Led by preseason All-American picks Arthur Brown and Tyler Lockett, Kansas State placed a total of 13 student-athletes on Phil Steele's 2012 preseason All-American and All-Big 12 football teams released Thursday by the publication.

Brown was named second team All-American at linebacker, while Lockett was the magazine's pick for its third team All-American at kick returner. Both were also listed as First Team All-Big 12 picks by the publication. The other preseason first team all-conference pick was Nigel Malone at defensive back, while tight end Travis Tannahill and defensive end Meshak Williams were second team picks.

In his first season in a Wildcat uniform, Brown was named the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after collecting a team-high 101 tackles, 9.5 for losses, 2.0 sacks and one interception. Brown was named First Team All-Big 12, a Bednarik Award Semifinalist and earned All-America honors from numerous outlets following his breakout season in 2011. He is also a 2012 candidate for the Lott Trophy.

Lockett, the lone freshman named to the 2011 Walter Camp All-America Team, was tops nationally during the regular season with a 35.2-yard kickoff return average, an amazing three yards per return better than the player in second. An All-Big 12 selection by the league's coaches and the Associated Press, Lockett ranks first in school history in average ahead of William Powell's 34.6-yard mark in 2010.

Klein tied the Big 12 overall record and NCAA mark for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 27 last year and also earned First Team All-Big 12 honors as an all-purpose player by numerous publications. Other 2011 All-Big 12 honorees to be recognized by Phil Steele include Malone, who was also a Walter Camp All-American in 2011, Cantele, Finney, Williams and Zimmerman.